Required entry in a cell?

[FYRGUY47]

Hello,

Using Excel 2003 & Excel for Mac 2008.

Can I make a cell required to have an entry? I have a cell that has a "data validation" list, I have the error code set to "stop" and have filled out the actual stop message.

Can I make it so the person filling out the form has to enter a name from the list to move to the next cell. My experiences is that they can leave it blank and move on to the next cell, thus leaving a required cell blank

Thanks Chris

 

[Kurupt55]

In the data validation scrren there should be an option to "ignore blank" if you uncheck this box then as soon as the user tries to edit the cell they cannot leave it blank.
If you save the workbook with one of the options selected then the cell cannot become blank again (without the user changing the validation settings)
This may not ensure that the option selected is correct but it will ensure it is not left blank.

Impossible is Nothing

 

[FYRGUY47]

Thanks for the reply,

I think I am missing something. I unchecked the "ignore if blank" box, saved the workbook, even proteced the sheet, and still are able to go out of the cell without any warning

Chris

 

[Kurupt55]

If the cell is originally blank or 1 of the options in your list is blank then you will be able to leave it blank.
Make sure that none of the options in your list is blank.
Then the only way to ensure that the cell is filled in is if it is already populated with something, then it cannot be deleted.
The only problem with this is that it does not force the user to choose an option as they can leave it as is, but it does mean that the cell will not be blank.
This may not be useful for your situation, if not then there may be a VBA solution. (I am no expert in VBA so i cant help you there)

Hope this helps

Impossible is Nothing

 

[FYRGUY47]

That does help, thank you. I will need the VBA code...

 

[Welshbird]

I have a vague memory that the VBA code might not work in the same way on Excel 2008 for Mac that it will for Excell 2003 for Windoze.

But I'm not sure that's true...

Fee

"The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea." Isak Dinesen

 

[SkipVought]

Hi,

Edits can be tricky. There is no good way to accomplish this without code. But a coded solution will be no better than the logic that you apply.

So here are some of the options...

If the cell is empty and the user selects another cell by whatever method, do you want to force the selection back to the cell in question? Do you want a message? Do you want a counter in order to so something different if the user persists in ignoring the issue?

Or do you want to allow the user to process all the cells on the sheet and then have a "GO" control that checks each cell for completeness and correctness and calls attention to each error? Similar mesages, counters and different somethings would also apply.

This can be a very detailed piece of VBA code, when all is said and done.

Skip,

_{Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE!}

 

[FYRGUY47]

Skip,
It is as simple as this:
I made a apparel order form for our employee's. In the cell "G2" I created a drop down list of all employee's names, however in the actual cell, I have "Your Name Here". The thought was they would use the drop down list to insert their name. Wellll, they seem to bypass the simple name part, print the sheet and turn it in without a name.....

This is what I am faced with.......

Chris

 

[SkipVought]

With VBA forum707, you cannot submit anything if "Your Name Here". Post there to be lead to a coded solution.

Skip,

_{Just traded in my old subtlety...
for a NUANCE!}